In their Own Words

Personalities of the Pioneers

Compiled by Prof. Jim Tompkins

Disclaimer:  Prof. Jim Tompkins has compiled the following information for classes he has taught.  He has kindly contributed them for general use.  This information has been gathered from a variety of sources and, while it is free to use, copyright infringements may make it unsuitable for commercial purposes.

Eliza (Hart) Spalding, 1836 - Superior education, could translate Greek and Hebrew, nun-like and unworldly, spent much time to herself.

Rev. Henry Harmon Spalding, 1836 - Sincere to the point of fanaticism.

Dr. Marcus Whitman, 1836 - Strong willed, used to getting his way, a strict disciplinarian.

Narcissa (Prentiss) Whitman, 1836 - Faithful missionary, dedicated and obedient wife, teacher and

mother. Entered trip joyfully, but with a slight bit of dread as she was traveling with a spurned lover.

Allen Jones Davie, 1842 - Raised as a Presbyterian and highly literate, became a respected elder of the

United Brethren Church. Highly respected by his peers, “No man among the early Oregon Pioneers

coming in the forties was better known....”

Dr. Elijah White, 1842 - A controller, argued with Jason Lee over amount of control Lee had in

Oregon. Took his federal status very seriously. Very much acted the lone federal agent appointed to

Oregon. Incessant demands of being in charge often ran him afoul of other people.

Jesse Applegate, 1843 - An adventurous traveler, restless visionary, “the inherent restlessness of our

nature.” Family man who surrounded himself in his extended family.

Peter Hardeman Burnett, 1843 - An adventurous traveler, organizer and orator, visited surrounding

counties making speeches encouraging people to join him.

Henry Hewitt, 1843 - Had a wanderlust and was hard to keep settled down.

Rev. David Thomas Lenox, 1843 - A deeply religious man, would not think of working on the

sabbath. Acquaintances resented him for trying to “cram [religion] down our throats.”

Capt. Daniel Matheny, 1843 - A powerful man who knew when to listen to the advice of his wife.

“I was a poor, homeless youth, destitute of friends, money and education, actuated by a restless spirit of

adventure.” - James Nesmith, 1843

William Hatchette “Uncle Billy” Vaughan, 1843 - Had strong feelings of southern patriotism,

named his sons after confederate leaders and generals and his daughters after confederate states.

Daniel Waldo, 1843 - Restless and discontented.

George Washington Bush, 1844 - Well-to-do, generous, and well liked.

Heinrich Sager, 1844 - Reputation for ingenuity. His wife said, “I have heard neighbors remark that

they believed that Henry Sager had made everything in common use but a saddle.”

Moses Shallenberger, 1844 - Orphaned as a young teenager, lived with older sister.

Harrison Wright, 1844 - Refused to communicate with his estranged family.

Samuel Kimbrough Barlow, 1845 - A risk taker and entrepreneur, hard to keep settled down.

Daniel Dodge Bayley, 1845 - Considered the Italian patriot Garibaldi to be his hero.

Stephen Hall Meek, 1845 - While impressing some young ladies in Lexington, the following repartee

took place. “Law sakes! Mr. Meek, didn’t you never get killed by none of them Indians and bears?”

“Oh, yes, madam,” said I gravely, “I was frequently killed.”

Joel Palmer, 1845 - Born to a Quaker family, was a peaceful man, believed in peace and justice for all,

justice and peace must embrace Indian as well as white.

Elijah Bristow, 1846 - Accustomed by long residence in mountainous regions to the rugged life of a

woodsman, and as an expert hunter and rifleman.

Tamsen (Eustis) Donner, 1846 - A gracious, educated lady, and competent school teacher.

A. Henry Garrison, 1846 - A feisty 14 year old who was good at spelling, but easily antagonized into

fisticuffs.

Reuben Stringer Coyle, 1847 - Family lore describes him as a "Man of Enterprise" with "movin' on"

in his blood.

Rachel Way (Joy) Fisher, 1847 - Raised and lived as a devout Quaker, quite lonely as there were few

Quakers out west and no meeting houses. Dated her letters in the Quaker method (7th mo 2th 1847).

James Monroe Fulkerson, 1847 - Inherited his ancestors' spirit for wander and adventure.

James and Mary (Stephens) Jory, 1847 - Working class family, with limited prospects in England,

in search of opportunity and to escape an apprenticeship law which could take young boys away from

their families and set them to work at the age of nine. Earned money by reclaiming ground ruined by

prospecting tin miners. Family didn't approve of slavery.

“Dear Friends - by your request I have endevored to keep a record of our journey from the States to

Oregon though it is poorly done owing to me having a young babe and besides a large family to doo for

and worst of all my e[d]ucation is very limited” - Elizabeth Dixon (Mrs. Cornelius) Smith, 1847

Elam Young, 1847 - A restless disposition, and wandering nature, unwilling to stay in any one place

for more than about five years.

Warren and Susan Amelia (Marsh) Cranston, 1851 - Had strong anti-slavery sentiment and he

became active in the new Republican Party in Oregon.

Samuel B. and Amelia (Hammond) Hadley, 1851 - Were Methodists. She deplored traveling on

Sunday but understood the need to keep moving. He kept a meeting house and made some of the “worst

blue rum a man ever got outside of.”

Amelia (Hammond) Hadley, 1851 - Raced to Oregon in 130 days, while others took at least 160-

190, to get a Donation Land Claim. Used horses rather than oxen. Diary tells of traveling on Sundays and

passing the slow moving oxen.

Lucia Loraine (Bigelow) Williams, 1851 - Dedicated her spare time to the Congregational Church.

Elizabeth Wood, 1851 - Wife of a Methodist minister, was a dutiful wife, also showed a desire for

either improving her mind or catching up on lost education. Second child born while attending school

putting her back nearly two weeks in her schooling.

Cecelia Emily (McMillen) Adams and Parthenia (McMillen) Blank, 1852 - Rather short, with

short dresses looked even shorter. Steamboatman asked them if their mother was with them. According

to Dr. Adams “...if they ever disagreed or doubted each other I do not know it.” Cecelia “was a born

musician, Artist and teacher and worker too. Her twin sister was just like her but very different -

taciturn, but never gloomy, never sang nor played on instruments - had good taste but no ambition in art

- never taught nor wanted to - steady, earnest, cheerful work.”

Polly Lavina (Crandell) Coon, 1852 - Had a beautiful voice and loved to sing, with her father

accompanying on the flute.

Tom, Margaret and Eliza Ann McAuley, 1852 - Tom was a natural selection for leader, most

fearless and never lost his head. Margaret was resolute, resourceful and like a mother to Eliza, Mrs

Meeker and their baby. Eliza was a healthy handsome American girl, graceful, modest and the center of

any romantic attention.

Abigail Jane “Jenny” Scott, 1852 - A slight young girl, was tired by weary stretches of travel,

always did her best to write.

Celinda Hines, 1853 - Sang soprano in Methodist Church choir.

Frederick Keil, 1855 - Uncle was an avid communalist, but he did not buy into the principles.

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